Vern Delgatty is a native Canadian and an award-winning architect, currently residing in the South Bay. He counts among his accomplishments designing the tallest concrete building on the West Coast, marrying his first date and having two Porsche-driving sons. less

Vern Delgatty is a native Canadian and an award-winning architect, currently residing in the South Bay. He counts among his accomplishments designing the tallest concrete building on the West Coast, marrying ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"I was working as an architect and developer in Vancouver, British Columbia when I first laid eyes on my next car. I was negotiating a property deal for a new 20-story condominium development, when another developer who wanted the property parked his brand-new Porsche in front of my office building." less

"I was working as an architect and developer in Vancouver, British Columbia when I first laid eyes on my next car. I was negotiating a property deal for a new 20-story condominium development, when another ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"He had just taken delivery of the slate gray 1989 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, which he had personally selected at the factory in Stuttgart, Germany. Having previously owned a Porsche 356 Cabriolet and a 1972 Porsche Targa, I had hoped to one day own another Porsche convertible. We began negotiating for the property, and as part of the land deal he threw in the Porsche. That was how I acquired the car." less

"He had just taken delivery of the slate gray 1989 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, which he had personally selected at the factory in Stuttgart, Germany. Having previously owned a Porsche 356 Cabriolet and a 1972 ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

Image 4 of 12

"I soon discovered that this machine was an exact copy of a factory-ordered special car produced for a popular 1990 movie starring Corey Haim, 'The Dream Machine.'"

"I soon discovered that this machine was an exact copy of a factory-ordered special car produced for a popular 1990 movie starring Corey Haim, 'The Dream Machine.'"

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"The Vancouver Porsche dealership required that all new owners go through a driver training certification program sponsored by the Porsche factory. All 15 of the new 1989 models were assigned a Porsche race car driver for a two-day instruction class at the Westwood race track in Coquitlam, BC. What an opportunity!" less

"The Vancouver Porsche dealership required that all new owners go through a driver training certification program sponsored by the Porsche factory. All 15 of the new 1989 models were assigned a Porsche race car ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"The driver assigned to me from Stuttgart scared me "spit-less" with his moves - spin outs, four-wheel slides, drifting and heel and toe braking and acceleration with the stick shift."

"The driver assigned to me from Stuttgart scared me "spit-less" with his moves - spin outs, four-wheel slides, drifting and heel and toe braking and acceleration with the stick shift."

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"We would fly over Deers Leap at approximately 100 mph, dodging marker buoys and braking just before a hairpin turn. I was concerned for my safety, the Carrera being a convertible, but they assured me that, in the event of a rollover, the car was designed to clear my head." less

"We would fly over Deers Leap at approximately 100 mph, dodging marker buoys and braking just before a hairpin turn. I was concerned for my safety, the Carrera being a convertible, but they assured me that, in ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

Image 9 of 12

"Some of the features of the Porsche 911 that I enjoy are braking with the gearbox, the excellent gas mileage and the high-back leather air seats. The surprisingly roomy interior can hold four passengers. Even with my two grandsons in the rear jumper seats I can still sit upright. I also thoroughly enjoy the privilege of flashing my headlights at "buddy Porsches" when passing by." less

"Some of the features of the Porsche 911 that I enjoy are braking with the gearbox, the excellent gas mileage and the high-back leather air seats. The surprisingly roomy interior can hold four passengers. Even ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Special To The Chronicle

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"In the 1999 international poll for the award of "Car of the Century," the 911 came in fifth. It is one of two in the top five that remains in continuous production. Recently pronounced "superior to all subsequent models" by my European sports car mechanic, my 911 was hand-built and is free of the electronic trappings of newer models. The distinctive spring action and rubber padded bumpers have saved expensive repairs many times over, being much more durable than the scratch-prone plastic molded bumpers on most of today's cars." less

"In the 1999 international poll for the award of "Car of the Century," the 911 came in fifth. It is one of two in the top five that remains in continuous production. Recently pronounced "superior to all ... more

Vern Delgatty is a native Canadian and an award-winning architect, currently residing in the South Bay. He counts among his accomplishments designing the tallest concrete building on the West Coast, marrying his first date and having two Porsche-driving sons.

I was working as an architect and developer in Vancouver, British Columbia when I first laid eyes on my next car. I was negotiating a property deal for a new 20-story condominium development, when another developer who wanted the property parked his brand-new Porsche in front of my office building.

He had just taken delivery of the slate gray 1989 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, which he had personally selected at the factory in Stuttgart, Germany. Having previously owned a Porsche 356 Cabriolet and a 1972 Porsche Targa, I had hoped to one day own another Porsche convertible. We began negotiating for the property, and as part of the land deal he threw in the Porsche. That was how I acquired the car.

I soon discovered that this machine was an exact copy of a factory-ordered special car produced for a popular 1990 movie starring Corey Haim. "The Dream Machine" tells the tale of a wealthy husband who has instructed his wife to sell his "toys"and send him the money as a condition of their divorce. With no intentions of obeying her husband, she walks out of the house and gives the keys to his Porsche to the lawn boy. Cory Haim may have been a teen heart-throb, but the Porsche was the real star of this movie.

The Vancouver Porsche dealership required that all new owners go through a driver training certification program sponsored by the Porsche factory. All 15 of the new 1989 models were assigned a Porsche race car driver for a two-day instruction class at the Westwood race track in Coquitlam, BC. What an opportunity!

The driver assigned to me from Stuttgart scared me "spit-less" with his moves - spin outs, four-wheel slides, drifting and heel and toe braking and acceleration with the stick shift. We would fly over Deers Leap at approximately 100 mph, dodging marker buoys and braking just before a hairpin turn. I was concerned for my safety, the Carrera being a convertible, but they assured me that, in the event of a rollover, the car was designed to clear my head.

After all that acrobatic driving my head was indeed very clear. At the end of the second day, all 15 students participated in a race with their coaches on board. I placed second, just behind the 911 Turbo coupe.

Some of the features of the Porsche 911 that I enjoy are braking with the gearbox, the excellent gas mileage and the high-back leather air seats. The surprisingly roomy interior can hold four passengers. Even with my two grandsons in the rear jumper seats I can still sit upright. I also thoroughly enjoy the privilege of flashing my headlights at "buddy Porsches" when passing by.

In the 1999 international poll for the award of "Car of the Century," the 911 came in fifth. It is one of two in the top five that remains in continuous production. Recently pronounced "superior to all subsequent models" by my European sports car mechanic, my 911 was hand-built and is free of the electronic trappings of newer models. The distinctive spring action and rubber padded bumpers have saved expensive repairs many times over, being much more durable than the scratch-prone plastic molded bumpers on most of today's cars.

The Porsche 911 was voted number two on Automobile Magazine's list of the "100 Coolest Cars," losing only to the Corvette Stingray. But to me, this dream machine is number one.

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